City of San Fernando, Pampanga—As part of the ongoing preparations for the full implementation of the K to 12 Program particularly the Senior High School in SY 2016-2017, the Department of Education Region III continues to undertake efforts to adequately address the needs and ensure the success of the Senior High School Program in the region. In line with this, the construction of 2,531 classrooms for DepEd Senior High Schools is set to commence this July according to the Department of Public Works and Highways Region III.

Of the 452 proposed senior high schools in Central Luzon, a total of 374 schools have been included in first and second batches of schools which were already submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for release of Sub-Allotment Release Order (SARO), and consequently for DPWH to start the construction process. The remaining 65 SHS and 13 stand-alone SHS will be included in Batch 3.

In a coordination meeting held last June 5, the DPWH RO3 set its commitment to complete the construction of the said classrooms in May 2016 in time for the opening of classes next year based on the assurance given by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson.

DepEd has also continuously conducted strategic planning with CHED, TESDA and private schools, HEIs, TVIs, SUCs and LUCs to ensure that there will be appropriate distribution of SHS students between DepEd and non-DepEd schools. A pilot simulation of SHS implementation is scheduled in the provinces of Aurora and Bataan on the third week of June.

As of June 3, 2015, there are 311 Non-DepEd schools recommended by the Senior High School National Task Force to be issued provisional permits for SY 2016-2017. Initially, there are 11 Non-DepEd schools issued provisional permits for SY 2014-2015 and 37 Non-DepEd schools issued provisional permits for SY 2015-2016.•